AZUSA, Calif. --- Biola had four players score in double-figures but could not survive a strong second half effort by Azusa Pacific as the Cougars pulled out a 70-56 win on Tuesday night in a GSAC game at the Felix Event Center.

The Eagles drop to 6-6 on the season and fall to 2-2 in conference play while Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 12 in the latest NAIA national ranking, improve to 11-3 and move into first place in the conference at 4-0.

Senior forward #Jennifer French# scored a team-high 14 points and added eight rebounds, three steals and two assists to lead the Biola offense. Senior guard #Chelsea De Luca# recorded 12 points on four three-pointers, adding six boards.

While the Eagles were able to hold a 25-24 lead at halftime and led by as many as four in the second half, Azusa Pacific used a monster second half, outscoring Biola 46-31 in the final 20 minutes and shooting 44.4 percent while holding the Eagles to just 37 percent.

The first half was not a strong shooting half by either team as the Eagles led 8-7 six minutes into the contest. Biola went on a short runafter that, scoring seven-straight to go up 15-7 at the 11:08 mark. Azusa Pacific responded with a 9-0 run to take a one-point lead and the two teams stayed close the rest of the half.

In the second half, Biola received a quick three-pointer from De Luca just 31 seconds into the period to take a 28-24 lead. However, Azusa Pacific responded quicky to tie the score at 28-28 just a few minutes later. The score was still knotted at 32-32 at the 15:15 mark when Azusa Pacific used an 11-1 run to break the game open. Biola was able to get the score back under 10 at 47-39 on a jumper by #Richae Kater# with 11:15 to go, but Azusa Pacific responded with a quick 7-0 to end and chance of an upset.

"They were just a lot more physical and out-hustled us tonight," said Head Coach Ken Crawford. "We just didn't come out strong in the second half and it showed."

The Eagles were out-rebounded for just the third time this season and at 54-43, it was the largest margin of the year. The Cougars had 22 offensive rebounds and converted them into 20 second-chance points.

Junior forward Alex Moore-Porter led all scorers with 19 points, but was just 5-of-14 from the field. CJ Hill added 16 points and six assists with Amber Williams recording 12 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.

Kater finished the game with 12 points and five rebounds off the bench, playing a strong game in a season-high 21 minutes. Junior forward #Jessilyn Conicelli# was held to just 10 points and five rebounds, though she did add three blocks, two assists and two steals.

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 9), hosting San Diego Christian in a GSAC game at 5:30 p.m. at Chase Gymnasium.